THE owners of an award winning Whitchurch restuarant are to launch a farm as part of its goal to become self-sufficient.

Wild Shropshire in Green End will be launching Wild Shropshire Farm and it aims to grow, cultivate and produce plants, eggs, bees, trees and other produce to support the restaurant and continue to receive produce from other local suppliers.

The plot is going to be managed by restaurant founder and head chef, James Sherwin and he hopes to become 95 per cent self-sufficient and incorporate the produce into the menus at Wild Shropshire Restaurant.

James, who has appeared on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today and Countryfile aims to start work on the farm in March and intends to deliver produce from it to the restaurant in mid summer.

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He said: "It’s been a dream to be able to run our own sustainable farm here at Wild Shropshire for some time and so we are absolutely thrilled that we can now get started with this exciting new project.

"We pride ourselves on delivering a terroir led micro seasonal menu for our customers and with the farm project starting, we will be able to expand this offering creating a truly biodynamic and holistic approach embedded in all that we do. 

"As time develops and the farm’s diversity evolves and expands, we will have a wealth of unique, diverse and healthy Shropshire flavours to share with our wonderful customers."

Ther land has been aquired from James' father-in-law who retired from dairy farming after 65 years and the family is pleased with how James is going to use it.

The restaurant announced three new roles in both it and the farm.

A spokesperson said: "Sommeliere, Jo Turner, will lead as the resident wine expert and who curates the Wild Shropshire wine menus.

"She also runs the monthly, Wild Wine Club.

"Sommelier and mixologist Joe Stark offers expertise on alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails at Wild Shropshire.

"The head horticulturalist for the farm will be announced."

Wild Shropshire Restaurant has received awards in previous years.

A spokesperson said: "In both 2022 and 2021 Wild Shropshire Restaurant were awarded a Michelin ‘Plate Award’ listing in the Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland 2021. 

"They won 'Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year' and 'Outstanding Restaurant of the Year' in the inaugural Restaurant Awards 2019 Midlands Edition."

To find out more about Wild Shropshire visit https://www.wildshropshire.net/